Boy they go by quickly don’t they. The Birthday will be making their seventh appearance at Fuji Rock which is about 1/3 of all events, and by my estimation, a good number of the shows have been on the Green Stage on Saturday afternoon. This illustrates how important a role this band plays in Fuji Rock history, being a pillar of sorts on which the festival has been built. And for those who know their local music, the Birthday is fronted by Yusuke Chiba who previously led hard rocking band Thee Michelle Gun Elephant who appeared at Fuji Rock in 1998.

Today’s weather was a little hot and Yusuke Chiba (Vo / Gt) wasted no time taking the sage in dark colors and mirrored sunglasses Kenjii Fujii’s guitar was tuned to vintage sound Kazuyuki Kuhara kep the beat steady throughout the set. The band ripped through the first 4 songs before Chiba removed his sunglasses and Fujii took off his jacket.

With Fuji Rock celebrating 20 years at Yuzawa this year, one couldn’t think of a better band to represent the rock and roll aesthetic that this festival has championed. The Birthday, as a four piece, are the exact spitting image of the rock and roll over the course of the past half century, hard boiled and sexy through and through. The band continues to impress with relentless energy and verve, and will potentially play many more festivals in their future.